TODAY -
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 18 2010:
''To be able to sell my own products in a mela for the first time in life has given me new courage and hope that I would be able to survive'', said Aribam Kiran, a young widow, whose husband had fallen victim to bullets of the security forces.
Kiran is selling her products in the only stall of the Conflict Widows' Forum, a body formed together by around 100 women whose husbands have been shot dead either by security forces or unidentified armed persons, which is participating in the ongoing exhibition at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen.
Talking to The Sangai Express, Kiran said the exhibition has given her new courage and hope.
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Organised under the aegis of women committee of the United NGOs Mission, Manipur, the first ever exhibition that provides an outlet for the products made by women only was inaugurated yesterday.
Displaying a variety of products ranging from eatables to handloom and handicrafts and from decorative items to organic vegetables, in all 32 stalls are participating in the exhibition being held under the theme of 'Creating a space for women through self-sustainable'.
Apart from that of the Conflict Widows' Forum's, among the 32 stalls, there is one belonging to the Helping Help Centre, which is joint body of the victims of domestic violence and those affected by drug abuse and HIV as well as another stall set up by women formerly hooked to drug addiction, who are trying to reintegrate into the society.
Kiran said that before joining the Conflict Widows' Forum, she used to cook in the houses of other people and weave cloth at home.
At time, she did not communicate and share her problems, whether it was of financial difficulties in the family or the discriminatory attitude of the people, with anybody.
Being newly widowed, she was reluctant to mix around with other people.
But after joining the Forum, she got the confidence and the courage to live on.
Kiran is 40 years old now.
On January 31, 2001, her husband was killed by a combined team of security personnel in an alleged encounter.
Kiran has a 14-year old daughter who is studying in class VIII.
Along with her daughter, Kiran now lives at her maternal place.
When questioned in what way the exhibition has helped them, 44-year old Tombi, who is another member of the Forum, said that the exhibition has made them to know what types of products are like by the people.
Tombi lost her husband in an ambush laid by unidentified armed persons in November 1993 .
Tombi said after the death of her husband, life has been very cruel, but she continues to live for the sake of her two children.
In connection with the exhibition, convenor of women committee, United NGOs Mission, Manipur M Subita explained that the main objective is to encourage women victims of crimes and violence and provide a platform for them to showcase their skills and potentials.
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